Explanation:

Simple Present and Present Continuous

ANNAPURNA MADHURI

Introduction:

The present continuous or the present progressive tense is used to tell about WHATEVER action is HAPPENING at the time of speaking.

Any temporary action, and/or an INCOMPLETE action is expressed in the present continuous tense.  It is also known as present progressive tense.

The verb in the present continuous tense is made of two parts:

The present tense form of verb ‘to be’ – is/am/are

‘ing’ affixed to the base verb.

Sentences in the present continuous form have a specified structure:

The affirmative sentence structure

SUBJECT + present tense form of verb ‘to be’ + base verb+ing

EXAMPLE: She (subject)+ is (present tense form of ‘to be’)+ sing (base-verb)+ing ==> She is singing.

Negative sentence structure:

subject+ present tense form of verb ‘to be’ + not + base verb + ‘ing’

Example: She is not singing

Interrogative structure:

Present tense form of verb ‘to be’ + subject + base verb + ing + Question tag

Example: Is she singing?